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K. INGALL'S. CATCH FOR VAULT COVERS.

No. 11,227. Patented July 4, 1854.

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a r w 2 ohms wzrcas co. PHQFQ-UTNO WASHINGTON u c JOSHUA K. INGALLS, OF WILLIAMSBUR G, NEW YORK.

CATCH FOR VAULT-COVERS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 11,227, dated July 4., 1854.

To all whom it may concern:

.10 cover downwithout further aid.

Be it known that I, JosHUA K. INGALLS, of the city of WVilliamsburg, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful improvement in looks or fastenings for vault-covers, so arrangedthat by pulling a cord on the inside of the vault the cover becomes unlocked and may be removed, but by replacing the cover the lock is so operated that it fastens the My improvement is also applicable to the fastening of hatches, trap doors, &c.

To enable thoseskilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will procede todescribe its construction and operation, reference being had to the annexed drawings,

3 forming a part of this specification, in

jwhich Figures 1 and 2 are side sectional views of my improvements, M Similar letters refer to like parts.

a, represents the pavement Z), vault cover; a, 6, cars; cl, hanger; cl, bearing; f, weighted lever cam; g, cord; 1, 2, cams; 3, lever; 4, weight; 5, cavity.

In large cities, where vaults are in general use beneath the street in front of dwellings and other buildings, the occurrence of serious accidents from the want of some adequate means of fastenlng downthe vault covers isquite frequent. The vaults are generally arranged with openings in the top for the admission of coaland wood or other articles. These openings generally occur in the center or sides of the pavement, and are continually traveled over by foot passengers. YVhen a vault cover is not properly fastened it is liable to slip, if an unfortunate passenger treads upon it, and his leg goes through into the opening; the result is a broken limb or other'injury. Robberies are also frequent, the thieves gaining entrance through the vault holes.

By my improvement vault covers may be fastened down in the most effectual manner and with great convenience. The pavement immediately surrounding the vault opening is composed of stone or iron (a) into which the cover (6) fits. The cover (6) has two cars (0 and e.) The ear (6) is curved so as to pass under the edge of a, and thus secure that side of the cover. The ear (0) is perforated so that the nose of cam (1) may pass through and fasten down the cover as seen in Fig. 1; or the ear (0) may be made a little curved or notched like 6, so that the nose of the cam (1) may touch on the notch and thus hold the cover fast. Fig. 1, shows the cover locked down. Fig. 2, shows the cover unlocked ready to be removed. I

The weighted lever cam (f) has a bearing at (Z by means of the han er cl, in the manner shown. The weight 4) serves to pull down the weighted lever cam, so that the nose of cam 1, enters the ear 0, and the cover is fastened down in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to unlock the cover (Fig. 2,) the cord 9 is pulled, which operating on the lever (3), the weighted lever cam (f) turns upon its bearin (cZ) whereby the nose of cam 1, is with rawn from the ear (0) which latter immediately touches on the upper part of cam 2 until it passes the nose of cam 2, when the ear (cl) drops into the cavity (5) and holds up the weighted lever cam (f) in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The cover (5) being now unlocked may be removed but no sooner is the ear cl lifted than the weighted lever cam (f) previously held up by the catch at 2 having now no support returns to its original position shown in Fig. 1. If it is now desired to return the cover to its place the side bearing upon its ear (6) is first put down so that the ear 6 shall catch under the edge of a. On bringing down the other side having upon it ear (0) the latter presses upon the upper part cam 1, and throws back the weighted lever cam f, until the ear passes the nose of cam 1, whereupon the weighted lever cam (f) returns to its position and the nose of cam 1 catches in the ear (Z,- thus the cover becomes looked as seen in Fig. 1.

The use of the weight (4) is simply to bring back the lever cam (f). after having been pulled up by the cord (g) It is manitest. a spring may be used to operate the and hold the catch, unlocked, as arranged lever-cam (f) in place of the Weight (4) if in relation to the other parts of the catch 10 desired. d h or lock and operated as herein set forth.

Having thus describe my invention w at 5 I claim as my invention and desire to secure JOSHUA INGALLS' by Letters Patent, is- Witnesses:

The additional lip or nose 2, with the re- A. N. BRUEN,

cess 5, for the eye of the cover to fit into, A. E. BEACH. 

